Metal leg structure



y 1935- 7H. T. HAL LOWELL I 2,006,502

METAL LEG STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 17, 1952 I IIIIIIIIHIIIIIH Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED ,STAT-Es PATENT OFFICE t 2,006,502 k METALLEG STRUCTURE 7 Howard T. Hallowell, Jenkintown. Pa., assignor to Standard Pressed Steel'Co., Jenkintown, Pa..

a corporation of Pennsylvania 1 Application November 17, i932, Serial 10 Claims. (01. 311-109)- h permit'the upper edges of the uprights I and 2 This invention relates to improvements in metal table or bench 1egs, and a principal object of the inventionis to provide a tubular leg construction of generally improved characteristics.

vMore specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a leg construction of the stated'type of relatively great strength and durability and of low cost of production.

The invention further resides in certain structural details hereinafterset-forth and illustrated in the attached drawing in which: I

Figure 1 is a fabricated leg made in accordance with my invention e Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the leg structure; Figs..3 and 4 are fragmentary views in perspective illustrating a detail of the construction;

Fig, 5 is a view in perspectiveof a preferred form offoot, for the tubular uprights;-

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational and partial sectional view illustrating the foot shown in Fig. 5 assembled with the leg; I Fig. '7.is a section on the line 'i- 'I, Fig. 6; i

Fig. 8 is a View in perspective of another form of foot element within the scope of my invention;

Fig. 9 is a View similar to that of Fig. 6 showing the foot illustrated in Fig. .8 assembled with the leg; k i

Fig. 10 is a section on the line Ill-I0, Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a View in perspective of. still another form of foot element; U W I 1 Fig. '12 is a fragmentary elevational view of the foot shown in Fig. 11 assembledwith the Fig. 13 is a section on the line I3 I3,' Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary elevational View show ing still another type of footand leg assembly;-

Fig, 15 is a section on theline I5 l5, Fig. 14,

andv 1 Figs. 16 and 17: are views corresponding with the views of Figs. 14 and 15 respectively showing a still further modification within the scope of my invention. I I

With reference to the drawing,- a fabricated metal table or bench leg structure made .in accordance'with my invention may comprise ,two rectangular tubular uprights I and 2 united at their tops by a cross bar 3 and adjacent their lower ends by a stringer 4. Each of the uprights .I and 2; is provided at the bottom ,with a foot support 5 adapted to provide a suitable extended bearing surface for contact with the supporting surface. In the present instance, the topcross bar. 3 takes the form of 'a metallicv T-section which is mounted in the upright position to afford an extended flatsurface at thetop of the .leg structure. The depending flange B of this ;cross bar occupies longitudinal slotsin the upper ends of theuprights I and Z, as shown inFig. 2, these slots preferably being of sufficient depth to toj-contact with the under surface of the transversevflange of the T-bar. The cross bar3 may be united with the tubular uprights I and 2 by welding at the joints.

The stringer. 4 preferably is rectangular tubular form of dimensions corresponding with the cross sectional dimensions of the uprights I and2. In the present instance, as

shown inFigs.-3 ;and 4, this stringer is of :the desired rectangular form but divided longitudi+ nally inthe lower wall as indicated at I in Fig. 3. The ends of the stringer I in the present instance abut the opposed faces of the uprights I and 2 and are secured to the uprights by welding. The weld, as indicated at 8 in; Figs. 3 and 4, is

of substantially made on the inside of the stringer 4, and in order p to provide for thisinterior welding, I form the under sides of the stringer 4 at each end with .anopening 9 giving access to the inner joints for the weldingv operation. The surfaces at the external joints are thus left unmarred by theweldring and an extremely. neat and desirable appearance afforded.

The preferred form of the foot 5 is. illustrated in Fig. 5 and the manner of its connection with theuprights I and 2 illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. As shown in the drawing, the elevated mid sec- .tion I2 is divided intermediate its ends by parallelslots I3 ,which are so relatively positioned as toreceive the opposite side walls of the upright to whichthefoot is to be attached. The width of the midsection' 12 is such that theother pair of opposite walls of the upright may rest upon theupper surfaceof the flange-I I, so that that portion of the mid section II-between the slots I3 is entirely embraced within the lower end of the upright. With the upright so inserted in the slots I3, the foot 5 may be united to the upright by welding at the joints at the under side of the foot, asindi'catedat I4 inFigs. 6 and 7. The opposite end portions of the mid section I 2 which lie at opposite sides of the upright are provided with openings I5 for reception of bolts whereby the foot may be attached to the floor surface if desired. v i v .It willflloe apparent that the aforedescribed device is characterized by an extreme simplicity of form and assembly; and at the same time af fordsa structure of considerable strength and durability. That portion of the mid section I2 of the foot 5 whicl'l'lies within the upright constitutes in effect a strut preventing deformation of the sides of thetubular form. andthe parts reinforce each other to produce a substantially rigid structure. At the same time, the construction has a' highly ornamental appearance which is materially aided bythe fact that the welded joints both 'for the stringer 4 and the feet 5 are all located at the inner unexposed surfaces. I

. It will be apparent thatthere may beiconsidcatedat '24.

erable modification without departure from the invention. In the embodiment, for example, shown in Fig. 8, that portion of the elevated mid sectioni lz of the foot which in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 occupies in assembly a position within the tubular upright, has been entirely eliminated. In this instance, as shown in Fig. 9, the upright fits neatly within the space designated by the reference numeral l6 in Fig. 8, and the foot and the leg are joined together by welding, as indicated at I! in Figs. 9 and 10. The lower edge of the uprightin this instance rests upon the top of the flange l I as in the preceding embodiment, but it will be apparent that the inner portions of this flange may be cut away so that 'the'lo'w'er edge of the upright may lie flush with'the lower surface of the flange H. In order toreinforce these walls of the upright which are engaged by the elevated portions of the foot, I may provide in the interior of the leg and secure thereto by welding a strut l8 extending between these walls.

1 In Fig. 11, I have illustrated a still further embodiment in which the elevated mid section "of the foot is made of sufiicient width to perfilit of an opening IQ of sufficient size to admit the upright l. -Following insertion of the lower end of the upright in this opening I9, the parts may be joined together by welding at the points indicated at 2| in Fig. 13.

In the modification disclosed in Figs. 14 and 15, the elevated mid section I2 of the foot is solid throughout, and two opposite walls of the upright are cut away to conform to the shape of this elevated mid section. The foot in this case ineffect fits within a recess in the lower end of the upright formed by these cut-out portions, and the upright andthe foot may then be united by welding 22 extending around the outer edges of the joints. In'order to avoid this welding on the outer surfaces of the assembly, I'may, as illus'trated in Figs. 16' and 17, form openings '23 in the lower portions of the elevated mid section 12 which abut the opposite side walls of the up- :right. Theseopenings give access for welding to the inner sides of the 'joints between thelower edges of the upright and the'fl'ange H, as indi- The external welded joints are thus avoided.

There may be'still further'modific'atiohs withbutdeparture from the invention.

Iclaim:

1. In a fabricated metal le'g'structure, an upright of substantially rectangular tubularform, "a if'oot section comprising a flat marginal flange an elevated mid section, and slots in said mid section adapted to receive opposite walls of said upright, said foot being united to the upright by means of welding applied at theedges of "said slots.

\ 2, A fabricated metal leg structure comprising aniupright of substantially rectang'ular'tubular section, and a foot element for said upright comprising a marginal flange and an elevated mid section, slots intersectingsaid mid section and adaptedfor reception of, opposite walls of said upright, said flange constituting a support for the loweredges of the other walls of said upright and means for uniting the foot'with said upright.

3,..In. a fabricated metal leg structure, the combination with an upright ofrectangular tubular section, and af'footfor the lower end of said section comprising a marginal flange andan intermediateelevatedportion, said elevated portion having slots adapted for, reception of opposite walls of said upright, said foot being attached to said upright by welding at the edges of said slots and on the under side of said foot.

4. A fabricated metal leg structure comprising an upright of substantially rectangular tubular form, and a foot element for the lower end of said upright, said element comprising a continuous transverse marginal flange and elevated intermediate portions spaced for reception therebetween of said upright, said elevated portions lying at opposite sides of said leg with their edges in substantlahabutment with the latter, and said foot being secured to the leg by means of welding applied at said edges of said elevated portions and on the under side thereof.

5. A fabricated metal leg structure compri's'- ing an upright of substantially rectangular tubular form, a foot element for the lower end of said upright, said element comprising a trans verse marginal flange and elevated intermediate portions spaced for reception therebetween of said upright, said elevated portions lying at opposite sides of said leg and having intur-ned edges in substantial abutment with the latter, and said foot being secured "to the 'leg by means of welding applied at said edges of said'el'evated portions and on the under Side thereof, and a reinforcing element secured in the interior of said upright at the lower end thereof and internally reinforcing the walls 'of' said upright.

6. A fabricated metal leg structure comprising an upright "of substantially rectangular tubuiar form, and a foot for the lower end of said upright cornprisinga substantially flat marginal flange and an elevated mid-section, said upright having in opposite walls and at the lower edge recesses conforming to the transverse outline of said mid section said foot being attached to said upright by welding at the edges of saidre- 'cesses.

'7. A fabricated metal leg structure compris ing an upright of substantially rectangular tubular form, and a foot for the lower end of said 'upright comprising asubstantially flat marginal flange and an elevated mid section, "said upright 'having in'opposite walls and at the lower edge recesses conforming to the transverse outline of said mid section, and said mid section having openings therein giving access to the inneredges 'of the joints between the upright and "the foo forwelding said joints.

- -a fabricated metal leg structure, a foot member comprising a flat marginal flange'and an elevated mid section, and having in said elejvated mid "section spaced slots, and an upright having portions adapted to fit into said slots and united to the foot member by means of "Welding'appliedat theedges of'said slots.

"'9. In a fabricated metal leg structure, the

combination with a foot member comprising "a 'rnar'ginal flange and an elevated mid section, and slots intersecting said mid section, and an "upright having at its lo'werend projecting .portions adaptedto' fit into said'slots and united with said foot by welding atthe edges of said slots'andon th'eunderslde of said foot.

10.'In a fabricated metal' leg structure, afoot -member comprising a continuous flat marginal "flange and an elevated mid section, and having *aslot in'said elevated'mid section, and an upright havingaport'ion adapted sent into said slot *and united to the' f'oot'member by means of "weldingap'plied kit-the edges of "said slot. 

